I am mentally well-prepared for the hardships that lay ahead: Yashvi Shah

In my school days, I was fascinated for history of present-day cultures, religions, and regions, etc.  I wanted to find out how it originated and, who our ancestors were. However, history was not the only thing I yearned for, I was equally (rather more) interested in sports.

At the time of decision-making, I knew it in my heart, come what may, I wouldn’t leave sports ever. Coincidently, I came across this yielding field of Sports Management. I knew right away I wanted to pursue it. What better than working towards the future and betterment of sports?

Hence, here I am, pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from IISM - International Institute of Sports Management. This field is well recognised for its practical nature, and hence, the course of sports management is based on a practical backdrop indeed.

IISM follows a proper procedure to admit its students in their courses. One has to clear their Sports Management Admission Test (SMAT) test  to secure admission at IISM.

Clearing the entrance test doesn’t exactly require you to enroll yourself in any coaching class. You need to have some in depth knowledge of sports in general, basic mathematics and statistic skills and good written communication skills.

While I was in college hunting for sports management, I came across different colleges offering courses. But since it was going to turn into a crucial decision for my career, I got into the details of all institutes and finally decided on IISM.  This is a new industry and IISM is a well-managed institute. Moreover, the staff at IISM is utterly accommodating and warmly. The faculty is finely selected and very efficient as well. The environment at the campus is friendly and vibrant, and that’s probably the best thing about it.

The campus is spread across one whole floor with multiple classrooms. And it is completely air-conditioned. Hence, it is very comfortable in there. Apart from attending lectures, we have an entertainment room-cum-canteen. Here we have a Carrom board and a Foosball table. So, it is generally that place where  most students bond over a coffee.  

Classes such as Marketing and Strategic Management are my personal favourite, and I indeed love attending those classes more than others. We have seven  subjects each semester, so it is a good regulation of lectures we get for each subject.

Our college’s Sports Cell and Social Responsibility Cell are active and hence, we get a numerous opportunities to participate in, organise and experience different kinds of extra-curricular activities. From Sports Quiz, Fitness Challenge to Blood Donation Camp, Beach Clean Drives and Old Age Home Visits, we get to experience it all.

IISM hosts India’s only and biggest sports festival, JUNOON. It is indeed an honour and gratefulness to be attending and being a part of the organising committee of this festival. Since it is organised on such a grand scale, we have to up our game as well, and this is indeed challenging and exciting!

One thing I would’ve missed here would be a cultural festival, like any other regular college, that we are expected to launch it soon.

This is a management institute, and I will gladly accept and announce that I have learnt time management efficiently after joining it. We have a lot on our plate here, and to be able to manage it all swiftly and smoothly, nothing like it. Better communication skills, expressiveness, and management skills and tactics have been inculcated in me in the process.

Since we are exposed to innumerable internship opportunities and are pushed to take up the practical and field work here, we are mentally well-prepared for the hardships that lay ahead. There are opportunities in the form of internships and placements  at franchise of well-known sports championships. Moreover, we may have the chance to be a part of Cricket World Cup,  ISL, PKL, and many more.

I’m still at the  very beginning of my my course, but I do have an idea of what I’d want to do once I have completed my studies. I hoard immense interest in athlete and event management. So yes, I do dream of managing a superstar cricketer or a nation-favourite footballer. I’m sure managing a superstar would require a lot of dedicated hours and a pinch more patience, but I will be ready for it.

About Author

Yashvi Shah has completed HSC in the field of Arts. She is a sports enthusiast, and enjoys playing multiple sports such as Cricket, Basketball, Shot Put, Throwball, Football and Tennis. She also has interest in Martial Arts. Apart from this, classical singing, various forms of dancing and painting are the skills she has mastered.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha